Duratron® PBI

Duratron® PBI

Product Overview

Highest mechanical properties of any plastic above 400°F (204°C)

Highest heat deflection temperature 800°F (427°C), with a continuous service capability of 750°F (399°C) in inert environments, or 650°F (343°C) in air with short term exposure potential to 1,000°F (538°C)

Lowest coefficient of thermal expansion and highest compressive strength of all unfilled plastics

Product Details

Duratron® CU60 PBI is the highest performance engineering thermoplastic available today. It offers the highest heat resistance and mechanical property retention over 400°F of any unfilled plastic (see Figures 26 & 27). It has better wear resistance and load carrying capabilities at extreme temperatures than any other reinforced or unreinforced engineering plastic.

As an unreinforced material, Duratron CU60 PBI is very "clean" in terms of ionic impurity and it does not outgas (except water). These characteristics make this material very attractive to semiconductor manufacturers for vacuum chamber applications. Duratron CU60 PBI has excellent ultrasonic transparency which makes it an ideal choice for parts such as probe tip lenses in ultrasonic measuring equipment.

Duratron CU60 PBI is also an excellent thermal insulator. Other plastics in melt do not stick to Duratron CU60 PBI. These characteristics make it ideal for contact seals and insulator bushings in plastic production and molding equipment.

Bushings used in hot runner plastic injection molds made of Duratron CU60 PBI allow the plastic being molded to remain in melt as the part "freezes" in the cool mold. Bushings last longer and ease clean up since hot molten plastics do not stick to Duratron CU60 PBI. (Prior materials: Vespel® PI, Ceramic)

Duratron PBI is extremely hard and can be challenging to fabricate. Polycrystalline diamond tools are recommended when fabricating production quantities. Duraron PBI tends to be notch sensitive. All cornersshould be radiused (0.040" min.) and edges chamfered to maximize part toughness. High tolerance fabricated components should be stored in sealed containers (usually polybags with desiccant) to avoid dimensional changes due to moisture absorption. Components rapidly exposed to temperatures above 400°F (205°C) should be "dried" prior to use or kept dry to avoid deformation from thermal shock.